New Cars for 2015: Volvo

Charting the changes for 2015.

S60 (shown above): We have a long and checkered history with the current-generation Volvo S60. First it lost to the Buick Regal GS in a head-to-head comparison test. Then, given a chance to redeem itself in a five-car sports-sedan comparo in which it was spotted a 60-hp advantage, it finished last. We signed on for a long-termer anyway, and the car wound up requiring a brain transplant to complete its 40,000-mile test. Now the S60 returns—this time with a new heart [see New Tech for 2015].

A 2.0-liter, direct-injected four-cylinder mated to an eight-speed transaxle with stop-start forms the basis of a goofy new appellation, “Drive-E.” (Note to Volvo: Put the internetty vowel before the word.) All future Volvos will be powered by these new fours, which, oddly, retain the T5 and T6 badges of their five- and six-cylinder predecessors. The base T5 Drive-E is turbocharged to 240 horsepower, while the T6 Drive-E is both turbocharged and supercharged to make 302 horses and 295 pound-feet of torque. That’s an impressive amount of power from two liters, but Volvo says even more is forthcoming, with hybridized versions capable of sitting in for V-8s. Read more ››

S80: The new 240-hp turbocharged four-cylinder “Drive-E” engine powers the base S80, which also gets an eight-speed automatic. The familiar 300-hp turbocharged inline-six is still available in Volvo’s big sedan. See full pricing, specs, and reviews ››

V60: Along with the S60, the all-new V60 wagon is the last stand for Volvo’s turbocharged five-cylinder. In the T5, the 2.5-liter makes 250 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Or there’s the T5 Drive-E, and you know what that means (it’s the 240-horse turbo four). Those who want 325 horses and 354 pound-feet will find them in the T6 R-Design’s 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six. See test ››

XC60: Like the S60, the XC60 crossover offers two four-cylinder engines: the 240-hp turbocharged four and the 302-hp supercharged and turbocharged four. Both are mated to the eight-speed automatic. The naturally aspirated and turbocharged inline-sixes are also available. Get ’em now, before they’re gone forever. See test ››

XC70: The lower-powered four-cylinder completes its sweep of the lineup with its trusty eight-speed sidekick. If you want your jacked-up station wagon with less torque at higher rpm, the naturally aspirated six is still available. Or go for the turbo six and get 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet. See full pricing, specs, and reviews ››